Hill Man Acquitted Of Burglary

The jury found the defendant innocent of burglary in making its decision. The judge earlier had reduced a charge of criminal mischief to a summary offense because the Commonwealth failed to present evidence of damage.

The arrest received some notoriety because it was made by the Scranton police chief and deputy chief, who were driving nearby when the alarm came in. They took the defendant into custody at gunpoint, although he offered no resistance.

The defendant, represented at trial by attorney Patrick M. Rogan, claimed he went into the building because he had no place to stay on that winter night. He had allegedly broken a window to enter the building.

The assistant district attorney argued the defendant had broken into the building to see what he could steal. He noted that a small computer was discovered moved from the building was secured.


The Tribune, November 16, 1994